Bale sealing machine



Aug. 9, 1960 G. N. HANsoN EF'AL 2,948,098

BALE SEALING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet' 2 Filed NOV. l, 1956 Aug. 9, 1960 G, N HANSQN Erm. 2,948,098

BALE SEALING MACHINE l Filed Nov. l, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l llllllllll" Illllllll' INVENToR. GLEN N. #4A/smv BY FR/CK WERD/ER MMM/ Aug. 9, 1960 G. N. HANsoN ETAL BALE SEALING MACHINE:

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed NOV. l, 1956 R. m R M m s f M M V md WHW .r Wmv N K M c u m ma 6 E n :5:,SEEE:55:55:55$5:sEEEEsEESSSEESE, V255 Y Mw wm llll .I .HMQI u@ 0S m B i R NN m m. mm ,un un K um arent 2,948,098 Patented Aug. 9, 1960 ice BALE sEALlNG MACHINE Glen N. Hanson, 244 Washburn Ave. N., and Erick Werdier, 1631 Queens Ave. N., both of Minneapoiis,

Filed Nov.4 I, 1956, Ser. N0. 619,376 Y 9 Claims. (Cl. 53-378) This invention relates generally to packaging machinery and more particularly concerns machines for scoring and sealing bag type containers, frequently referred to as bales The practice of packaging or balingl small bags of bulk food products, such as floursu`gar, coffee or the like, in a larger bag is becoming increasingly more common due to the relatively higher cost of cardboard cartons, In this type of packaging several units of the product concerned packaged in their ultimate sales container are packed in a large bag, generally made of stiff heavy paper, and shipped in this manner to their destination. Obviously, these `bags are relatively large and cumbersome. The instant` invention concerns the sealing of these bags or bales after they have been loaded with the selected contents.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a machine for automatically folding and sealing the Open mouth of a large bag container after it has been filled to a preselected level and for automatically advancing the bag through the machine before, during, and after the folding and sealing operations.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide a fluid pressure actuated machine operable by a single operator from `a single seated position who, after filling -a bag container toa preselected level, may then, by operation of a single control from said position, direct said pressure to various components of the machine to effect successively the steps of folding the bagportions above said level into flaps adapted to overlap each other, the application of an adhesive to the uppermost flap, the closing of said iiap against the other flaps, and then apply downward pressure to the aps to effect a tight sealing of the top of the bag. A i

With these objects in View the invention broadly comprises a machine having an elongated frame providing a bag passageway into which a `number of filled bags may be progressively passed in side by side upwardly opening condition, a ram on the frame for` pushing the bags through the passageway, a first station along the passageway, a dividing shoe on the frame above said lfirst station for separating the mouth of the bag into a pair of opposing aps :as the bag is moved thereunder, a pair of scoring plates swingably mounted on the` frame one at each side of the dividing shoe and adapted when activated to bend the bag flaps down over the shoe to score the bag walls, a second station -in the passageway adjacent the first passageway, means for raising one flap as the bag, is moved into` the second station, a glue spray gun mounted on the frame over said second station and so directed as to spray glue on the` raised bag flap when activated, a third station in the passageway, -a pressure plate mounted on the frame above the third station and adapted to fold over and exert downwardpressure on Y 2 to the bag as it is carried thereby, :a huid pressure source connected to the ram, a manual control for operating the ram from said pressure, and various control devices for said scoring plates and spray gun operative under `actuation of said ram.

The above mentioned and still additional objects of the invention will be brought to light during the course of the following specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawing-S, in which- IFig. 1 isa plan view of the invention. i H l d Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine taken from the left siderelative to the operators position and showing the machine with a row of Vbales going therethrough with an open bale in position on the loading platform ready to be injected into the machine.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the machine in the same condition as in Fig. 2 but taken from the opposite or right side of the machine relative to the operators position.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the central portion of the machine looking downwardly along line 4--4 in Fig. 2'.

5 is a horizontal section through the rear portion of the machine below the loading platform taken along line l5 5 in Fig'. 2` and looking downwardly.

Fig. 6 `is a transverse vertical section taken along line 6 6 of Fig. 2 looking forwardlythrough the machine.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the various pressure lines to the pressure actuated apparatus` of the machine.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings reference characters willbe used to denote like parts fand structural features ofthe invention in the different views. The machine has a, base frame denoted generally at 10 which comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced inverted U-.shaped upright sections 11 and12 which are integrally connected near their bottom ends by transversely spaced elongated `base side bars 14 and 15 (Fig. 6). Side bar 15 which is the near. bar in Fig. 3r extends rearwardly substantially beyond the frame section 12, as at 16. A floor engaging cross beam 17 extends laterally from the barportion 16 and the members 16 and 17 jointly support a loading platform 18, An operators seat 19 is mounted `at the rear end of the platform. in forwardly facing position and laterally offset from the fore and4 aft framework defined by the members 11, 12, 14yand 15.

l An auxiliary or upper frame` is denoted generally at- 20 and this frame is vertically adjustable between various fixed .positions `along the sections 11 and 12 of the base frame 10. The frame 20 comprises a pair of inverted U-shaped end sections 21 and 22 which respectively fit within the sections 4,11 and 12 `of the base frameand which are `vertically adjustable therein by reason of their being journaled `on the lower ends of crank screws 24 which are threadedthrough the horizontal top bars `of sections 11 and 12. The sections 21 and 22 are rigidly interconnected by longitudinally extending bars 25. AccordinglyV the elevation of frame 2li can be vertically adjusted by operation of cranks 24.

Afloor or slide plate 26 on a plane with the top surface of the platform 18 extends alongside of the platform and forwardly into the frame 10 along the side bars 14 and 15, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 6. This plate 26 extends part way alongV the Iframe 10 to approximately the rear end of a belt conveyor 27 which extends around end rollers28- mounted on the frame andlintermediate .idle rollers '29. The slide plate 26` is on a plane with the top portion of belt 27 extending over the rollers. The

' scribed. The upper 3 jointly form an elongated path through the machine over which the bales B travel during the sealing operation. A transversely operative ram or pusher plate 30 is mounted over the platform 18Jfor `moverne`nt across the platform in front of the seat 19. The mounting and operation of this `device will subsequently be described. :Suffice for the present to say that when operated this plate 30 will move a bag or bale B laterally from -a position in front of the seat 19 to a position against a platform side wall 31 and in front of a forwardly operative pushing ram 32 the operation of which will also be subsequently deend of ram 32 angles forwardly as at 33. i

The rain 32 is adapted to move a row of bales B progressively through the machine for subjection to the various steps in the sea-ling oper-ation. The bag sealing equipment is mounted primarily on lthe auxiliary frame 2.0 and is'accordingly vertically adjustable therewith respective to' the main frame 10.

`The auxiliary frame has various frame members integrallygassociated with the side bars and end section 21. Fore yand aft extending bars 34 (Fig. 2) havetheir rear ends welded to the section Y21 and their forward ends connected to upright members 35 which are secured to bars 25 and united with each other by a cross bar 36. Bracket'members 37, also integrally secured to the bars 25, depend therefrom at either side of the frame 20 approximately over the rear conveyor roller V28.

A pair of guide walls 38 yare attached one to each side of the frame 20 to extend longitudinally thereof in transversely spaced vertical planes. These walls are mounted at the ends of various adjustment screws 39 which are threaded `for longitudinal adjustment through bosses attached to auxiliary frame members 34 and 37. Accordingly the guide walls 38 are laterally adjustable to vary the spacing therebetween by manual operation of the control'screws 39. The platform side wall 31 may be integrally associated with the right hand guide wall 38 to be laterally adjusted therewith. The left hand guide wall 38 maybe flared outwardly at its rear end yas at 40 V(Fig. 4) to assure movement of a bale B into the space between the two guide walls as it is pushed forwardly by ram 32. The adjustable walls 38 accordingly form aV guideway for the bales B and are adapted to engagethe bales therebetween to hold them in an upright position `as they are pushed along the bottom plate 26. The adjustability of the plates allows their use with bales of different widths.

The equipment for folding and sealing the top of the bales B will now be described and for a clear understanding of the principal elements thereof attention is directed primarily to Figs. 4 and 6. A divider shoe 41 having an upturned rear end portion 42 is mounted to extend subl stantially `along the horizontal plane of the upper edge of lwalls 38.. This shoe is supported in suspended position from the frame 20 by means of fore and aft telescopic Ylinks 43Vresiliently held in extended condition by means ofcompressed coil springs 44. These two links have their lower ends pivoted to the shoe on transverse axes rwith Vthe` upper ends connected to transverse members 21 and 36 on the auxiliary frame. The divider shoe 41 is accordingly mounted to yield upwardly under pressure. A pair of elongated scoring or folding plates 46 are hinged one toeach o'f the guide walls 38 along the upper edges vthereofrforfolding movement between upright positions `(Fig. 6) and lowered positions over the divider shoe 41 (Fig. 4). vThese plates are each less in width than half the minimum spacing between the guide Walls 38 so that both may be lowered` against the divider shoe without in- 'terfengQ with each other.`V Coil springs 47 connect the flaps 46 to higher adjacent portions of frame 20 to constantly bias the flaps toward the raised position of Fig. 6.

A cross bar 48 is mounted Yacross the frame 20 intermedi-ate the section 21 and bar 36.- A pair of iluids extensible jacks 49 are pivoted one at each @11d 0f, bal. is

with the piston rods thereof respectively pivotally connected to the adjacent scoring plates 46. Accordingly when fluid pressure is admitted to extend the jacksV they will force the llaps 46 downwardly about their hinge axes against the top of divider shoe 41 against tension of the springs 47.

Forward of the divider shoe and scoring plate mechanism just described a flap hold down member 51 is provided to extend inwardly from the right hand guide wall 38 at substantially'the elevation of shoe 41. The distal edge of this plate curls slightly upward along its rear portion 52 (Fig. 4) and tapers toward wall 38 Aas at 54 along the forward portion. A forwardly extending lift finger 55 is integrally attached to the front portion of s'noe 41 to extend near the upper edge of the left hand guide wall 38 opposite the edge 52 of member 51. In a still further advanced position Iand opposite the cut-away portion 54 of the memberSl a sealing-plate 56 is mounted on the left hand guide |wall-3 8. Y This plate is also disposed on a generally horizontal planeat the elevation of shoe 41 with the trailing inner edge 57 thereof curled Vslightly upward to form Aa guide lip. The front Vportion of plate 56 extends beneath a continuous belt 58 (Fig. l) mounted to extend around end rollers 59 journaled on frame 20 and a Series of intermediate rollers 60 journaled in longitudinally extending side bars 50 mounted on the frame 20. Rollers60 are mounted to rotate on axes lying on a. com-mon horizontal plane and the vundersurfaces of these rollers are on a plane with the undersurfaces of end rollers 59. Accordingly belt 58V as it passes under the rollers 60 is in vertically spaced parallelism to the belt 27 as it travels `over rollers 29 and substantially on. `a plane with shoe 41. Y

Belts 27 and S8 are driven by a suitable electric motor 6]; (Fig. 3) mounted on frame 10 and connected through transmission 62 and suitable drive belts 64 and 65 to equal pulleys 66 and `67 respectively mounted coaxially on the front rollers 28 and 59. The two conveyor belts are accordingly driven -at the same speed but in relatively opposite directions, the drive belt 65 being twisted between the pulleys. Belt 27V travels forwardly on the top side while belt 58 travels forwardly on the underside.

Motor 61 is energized through operation of a switch 68 mounted on a side bar 15 at the rear end of the bottom conveyor belt 27. This switch is open and closed by a spring biased linger 69 which projects inwardly over the belt. When a bale B is pushed forwardly onto the conveyor belt 27 it will swing the finger 69 outwardly to close the switch 68 and energize the motor 61 to operate the conveyor belts. When the bales have cleared finger 69 allowing 'it to swing inwardly over the belt again the switch will open the circuit and the conveyor belts will stop.

Reverting now again to the folding and sealing mechanism supported by the frame 20, and with particular attention to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted that a support arm 70 extends forwardly from the upright 35. This arm carriesV a glue spray gun 71 which has its nozzle 72 directed inwardly over the plate 51. The'gun is so positioned as to direct a spray of glue or other liquid ad- Y hesive over and across the top of a bale positioned under provided with a shut-off valve 81` anda pressure indicating gauge 82. Beyond the.valve.81, a line 84 connects the gluelpot V7 4 toline- 8.0iv to maintain pressure in fthe P01? and a 1.1316 3,5 CODHGCLS the spray gun 71 to the D line 80. A time valve 86 in the line .85 which is normally closed to prohibit flow through the line has a pivoted control arm 87 adapted to momentarily open the valve when swung forwardly.

Beyond the connections with lines 84 and 85, the main line 80 branches off into two lines. One line 88 leads to a three way valve 90 mounted on cross beam 17 which extends under the platform 18 the valve being operated by a centrally pivoted foot pedal 91. A line 92 leads from the valve 90 to a frame mounted jack 94 which carries a forwardly extendable piston element 95 attached to the ram 32. A line 96 leads from the valve 90 to a jack 97 mounted to actuate the transverse ram 30.

The other branch off from the main pressure line 80 is denoted at 98 and extends to the jacks 49 which operate the scoring plates 46. A valve 99 having a swingable actuating arm 100 for opening and closing the Valve is disposed along line 98. This Valve is normally open so that the jacks 49 are extended'as shown in Fig. 7. When the arm 100 is swung forwardly to the position shown in broken lines the pressure is released from line 98. Valves 86 and 99 have not been shown in Figs. l and 3 due to the diiculty of incorporating them in those views.

Jack 94 is mounted in longitudinal alignment -with the frame 20 and is supported by means of `an upright bracket 102 attached to the platform 18. The ram member 32 Yoperated by jack 94 is mounted on a carriage designated generally at 104. This carriage includes sets of rollers 105 which engage against opposite sides of the platform and which are interconnected by a side plate 106. The carriage unit also has a forwardly extending bar 107 which has its distal end connected as by tension springs S to a plate 109 mounted at the rear of the platform. It will accordingly be understood that when pressure is supplied to extend the jack 94, the member 32 will be caused to move forwardly over the platform with the carriage 104 rolling therealong. When pressure to line 92 is released the tension of springs 108, which have been stretched by the forward movement, of the rarn will cause the ram to return to its rear position.

The valve 99 is mounted on the `frame in such a position `as to have its control arm 100 extending downwardly into the path of carriage 104 so as to be normally held by the carriage in valve opening position (Fig. 7). When the carriage moves to its forward .position the arm 100 which is spring biased will swing forwardly to the position shown in broken lines releasing the pressure in line 98 allowing jacks 49 to retract and the scoring plates 46 to swing to their erect condition under tension of springs 47.

Valve 86 is mounted on the base frame `in alignment with the carriage 104 and forward thereof. Accordingly, when the carriage commences its forward movement it will swing the arm.87 forward to momentarily open line 85 allowing pressure to flow to gun 71 to eject a ne spray of glue through the nozzle 72 thereof. When the carriage 104 returns the spring held arm 87 returns to its original position.

Attention is now directed to the mechanism for operating the lateral pusher plate or ram 30. As heretofore mentioned, the jack 97 having an extendable piston rod is mounted in xed ,transversely extending position under the loading platform. 'Ihe jack has its `base integrally securedto a plate 110 (Fig. 5) depending from the left side of platform 18. A U-shaped bracket 111 extends around the edge of the platform and connects the pusher plate 30 to the extendable piston element 98. A transverse guide rail 112 mounted on the base frame slidably supports the bracket 111 by extending -under integral projections 114 on the bracket 111. Bracket 111 is connected to element 98 near the longitudinal center thereof the element being shown in retracted positionin `Fig. 5. When pressure is admitted to the jack 97 bracket 111, which moves with the element 9,8 to the position .shown inbroken lines, will carry the pusher to the i right across the platform. `A vtension spring 115 connects the mounting plate 110 to an element 116 mounted Vat the end of the member 98 to cause retraction of member 98 and, of course, pusher 30 attached thereto when pressure is released from the jack 97.

The operation of the machine will now be explained. The operator thereof sits on seat 19 with a supply of bale bags B and material to be placed therein, such as smaller filled bags, at hand. With the bale container B resting on the platform in the position shown in Figs. l and 2 it is lled tothe `desired capacity by the operator. The operator then depresses the pedal 19 forwardly admitting uid pressure to the jack 97 to extend the rod 98 therefrom. The plate 30 is attached to the member 98 and moves laterally to the right therewith pushing the filled bale B in its upright condition to a position against the wall 31, shown in broken lines in Fig. 1.l When the pedal is then returned to its neutral position the Valve releases pressure `from line 96 and the pusher element 30 returns toits original position under action of the spring 115;

The newly filled bale B is new in alignment with the sealing passage through the machine formed by frames 10 and 20 at the rear opening thereof and in front of the ram 32. The operator then depresses pedal 91 rearwardly about its center mounted axis which opens valve 90 to allow pressure from line 88 to flow into line 92 and jack 94- forcing the piston element 9S and ram 32 forwardly.

VThe ram 32 with its forward movement engages the side of bale B and moves it into the first station of the sealing passage as shown in Fig. 6. lt will be observed that the forwardly angled extension 33 on ram `32 is horizontally disposed at the elevation of the divider shoe 41 winch in turn is set at the lled level or" the bale B. Also the extension 33 is somewhat narrower than the bale itself. Accordingly as the` ram moves against the bale the extension 33 folds ythe near side wall of the open mouth of the bale inwardly over the top of the contents therein. Then as the bale is pushed under the shoe 41 the opposing narrow wall of the bale open mouth is folded inwardly over the contents as it engages the upturned end 42v of the shoe. With the two narrow walls of the bale mouth folded in the broader side walls are left in upwardly projecting condition as the bale is forced under the shoe 41.

At the start of the forward movement of ram 32 the carriage 1.04 on which it rides releases the control arm of valve 99. When so released the valve 99 opens line 98 allowing the huid pressure to exhaust therefrom and .from the jacks 49. Thus as contro-l 100' is released with the ini-tial forward movement of ram 32, the springs 47 will pull the scoring plates 46 to their erect position shown in Fig. 6. When the bale B moves under shoe 41 and between the side plates 33 the bale flaps F will accordingly move edgewise into the spaces between shoe 41 and plates 46 at either side of the shoe.

The operator then releases pedal 91 for return to its neutral position and with this the pressure is relieved from line 92 and jack 94 allowing the return springs 108 to take over and return the ram 32 to its rear position. As the ram moves rearwardly the carriage 104 will retract the control arm 100 which operates valve 99 to open the line 93 to the fluid under pressure in line S0. This extends jack 49 to lower scoring plates 4 6 which fold the bale flaps F over the top of shoe 41. The bales B are generally formed of a relatively heavy or stiff paper so that the folding operation cleanly scores the flaps F at the base thereof where they are folded over the side edges of the divider shoe.

The bale remains in the first station until the next actu* ation of the machine. When the machine is again actuated by the opera-tor soas to force the next succeeding bale into said first station the bale under shoe 41 will be moved forwardly by such succeeding bale into what will be re- .ierred t0` as the Strand `Stetten which .is `Centeresl 911 .the

' posing ap to seal the bale. prohibit its interference with the folding of the flap.

yglue 71.- As the bale moves forwardly the bale iiap `ram and before the bales already in the passageway are pushed forward, the carriage 16'4 will engage the member 37 to momentarily open-.line 85 to provide pressure to :gun 71. The gun will accordingly issue a brief spray of glue upon the side of the upright opposing flap, prior to movement of the bale from the second station. Then as the row of bales begins to move under pressure from ram 32, the iiap to which the adhesive has been applied will, as it moves under plate 56, be folded down over the op- Plate S1 is tapered at 54 to As the bale moves into the third station under the pla-te 56 and the rear end of belt 5ft it will swing the switch lever 69 outwardly to stant lthe conveyors 27 and 53 to carry the bale forwardly to the end of the machine. As the bales move over conveyor 27 the belt 53 applies constant downward pressure to the aps to effect a permanent sealing of the bale. A conveyor 120 may be placed at the end of the machine to carry off the sealed containers.

It will thus be observed that this machine makes possible the rapid folding'and sealing of the open mouths of large bales by a single operator. The operator is so positioned that he might also control the bag filling operation. We have accordingly provided a machine which economically and effectively carries out the aforementioned objectives.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described our invention what we claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for sealing bales of the type described which comprises in combination, a frame structure providing an elongated passageway, means on one end of the frame structure for moving a plurality of bales in a row through said passageway, and means mounted on the frame structure over said passageway for folding and sealing the open mouths of the bales as they are moved therethrough, said means comprising in succession along the structure a divider shoe transversely centered over the passageway with a pair of scoring plates one at each side of the shoe and spaced therefrom and hinged to the frame structure for folding and unfolding movement over the shoe to form each of the bale mouths into a pair of opposing aps adapted to be folded one over the other, a glue dispenser mounted on the frame structure for applying glue to the underside of the one of said tiaps, and a sealing device for folding the iiaps and applying downward pressure thereto as the bales move along the passageway.

2. ln a machine for folding and sealing the open mouths of bale containers which comprises a frame structure forming an elongated passageway, ram means mounted on the frame structure for moving a plurality of bale containers successively into and through said passageway, folding means on the frame structure for folding each bale mouth into flaps, means on the frame structure for raising one flap on the bale as it is moved from the folding means, an adhesive dispensing spray gun mounted on the frame structure to face said one flap, control means coordinating the operation of the spray gun with operation of the ram means, and mechanism on the frame structure for automatically folding and applying downward pressure to the flap as the bale is moved beyond the spray gun.

3. In a bale sealing machine of the type described, a

'a loading platform at the rear end thereof, means on the frame structure for moving a row of bale type containers forwardly from the loading platform through the passageway to the other end of the frame structure, and means mounted on the frame structure over the passageway for folding and sealing the upwardly opening mouths of the bales as they are moved from said platform through the passageway, said last mentioned means comprising a spring tensioned divider shoe adjacent the platform for separating a bale mouth into opposing flaps as the bale is moved thereunder, a pair of'plates hinged to the frame structure one at each side of the shoe for opening and vclosing movement thereover, a horizontal plate rigidly mounted at one side of the frame structure forwardly of the shoe at the elevation thereof, an adhesive spray device mounted over said horizontal plate and adapted when operated to issue a spray transversely across the passageway, and a flap folding device located longitudinally for- 'ward of the spray device and including a continuous belt at the elevation of said shoe for maintaining downward pressure on the flaps as the bale is moved to the forward end ofthe passageway. i

4. In a bale sealing machine, a frame having means for supporting an open mouthed bale of the type described in upright condition, a folding station on the frame, transport means on the frame for moving the bale in such condition onto said folding station, and mouth folding means on the frame adjacent said station for folding the mouth into overlapping aps, said means comprising a horizontally disposed spring tensioned shoe, a pair of scoring plates one at each side of the shoe but spaced therefrom and hinged to the frame on parallel axes for folding movement between erect positions and closed positions against the shoe, spring means connecting the plates to the frame to urge them toward their erect positions, uid extensible jacks connecting the plates to the frame for folding the plates to their closed positions against tension of the spring means, a fluid supply line to the jacks, a valve in the line for opening and closing the line to fluid pressure, a control on the valve biased toward a valve opening position, and said transport means associated with said control to close the valve when the transport means is operated to move the bale into the foldingstation.

5. In a machine for folding the mouth of an upwardly opening bale of the character described, a frame structure, a loading platform on the frame structure, a mouth folding station on the frame structure disposed beside the loading platform, a ram mounted on the loading platform for movement toward and away from the folding station, a uid extensible jack on the frame structure 'for moving the ram, a stationary horizontal divider shoe on the frame Vstructure at said folding station for dividing the mouth of the bale into opposing liaps as a bale is moved into'said station, a pair of scoring plates hinged to the frame structure one at each side of the divider shoe for swinging movement between erect positions and lowered positions over said shoe to fold the flaps inwardly, spring means 4connectingthe plates to the frame structure to yieldablyY retain the plates in erect position, fluid extensible jacks connecting each plate to the frame structure for swinging the plates to their lowered positions, a fluid pressure sup- Vply line to said jacks and having a valve therein, and a -mouths of bales of the character described, an elongated frame structure providing in succession and on a common level a loading platform and first and second bale treating stations, a source yof fluid pressure, a ram device mounted on the platform for pushing a row of bales from the platform through said stations, a fluid extensible ram jack mounted on theplatform and having connection with the ram device and with the pressure source, a manually operative primary control device for selectively admitting pressure to said ram jack to extend the jack and move the device in a bale pushing direction, a fluid pressure actuated folding device for folding the open mouths of said bales into ilaps mounted on the frame structure over said first station, a fluid pressure actuated glue spray gun mounted on the frame structure over the second station, and pressure lines connecting said folding device and spray gun to the pressure source, each of said lines having flow control means therein, and said control means being located in the path of pushing movement of the ram device to be operated thereby to synchronize the pressure ow to the folding device and spray gun with movement of the ram device by operation ofthe primary control device.

7. In a machine for sealing upwardly opening con- `tainers, a frame structure providing an elongated passageway having a bottom comprising a floor section and a conveyor section arranged end to end, means on the frame structure for moving a row of the containers over said door section toward and onto the conveyor section, means mounted on the frame structure along the passageway and over said floor section for folding the open portion of each container into opposing flaps, then applying adhesive to the aps and closing the flaps against one another to seal the container, and means for applying sealing pressure to the aps after such closing, said ylast mentioned means comprising a series of transverse parallel rollers mounted on the frame structure over the conveyor, a continuous belt extending around the rollers, power means connected to the rollers for driving the belt, the underside of said rollers lying on a common horizontal plane spaced above the conveyor Va distance substantially equal to the height of the sealed containers, and said power means having a control iinger biased to extend into said passageway over said conveyor adjacent the junction of the floor section and conveyor to be swung outwardly to activate the power means when engaged by a container moving onto the conveyor.

8. A machine for folding and sea-ling the open mouths of bale containers which comprises a frame structure forming an extended horizontal passageway, ram means mounted on the frame structure 'for moving a plurality of bale containers having upwardly opening mouths sidewise successively into and through said passageway, flap forming means on the frame structure for forming each bale container mouth into transversely opposing flaps, means on the frame structure for folding one flap down to a horizontal position with the other opposing ap in upright vertical position, an adhesive dispensing spray gun mounted on the frame structure to face said other ap, control means coordinating the operation of the spray gun with operation of the ram means, and mechanism on the frame structure for automatically folding said other ap downwardly over and against said horizontal flap and applying downward pressure thereto as the bale container is moved beyond the spray gun.

9. In a machine for sealing the open mouth of an open mouthed bag container of the character described, a frame structure having an elongated iioor and an elongated upper frame portion disposed above the floor and parallel thereto, said upper portion forming an elongated side walled guideway, means on the frame for moving an open mouthed bag container in upright position along the floor with the upper portion of the container moving through the guideway, and flap forming and sealing means mounted along the upper frame portion to perform various operations on the container, said means comprising successively relative to the direction of container movement, a ap forming means for dividing the bale mouth into a pair of transversely opposed flaps, then a flap hold down device at one side of the frame for holding one of said flaps down over the bag While the opposing fiap is in erect condition, an adhesive dispenser adjacent said hold down device for discharging adhesive against the facing surface of the erect flaps, then a folding means for folding said erect flap downwardly over and holding it against the one ap, then a means for applying downward pressure to said last folded flap, said last mentioned means comprising a series of parallel rollers mounted on the frame structure with their axes transverse with respect to the guideway and the underside of said rollers lying on a common horizontal plane spaced above the door a distance substantially equal to the height of the sealed container for applying downward pressure to the last folded flap as the container is moved thereunder, and said erect flap lfolding means eX- tending partially under said downward pressure means whereby said last folded flap will be in uninterrupted contact with said folding means and pressure means as it moves from one to the other.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,815,517 Kimball et al Iuly 21, 1931 2,136,901 Ferguson Nov. 15, 1938 2,144,448 Brightwell Jan. 17, 1939 2,691,260 Schlemmer Oct. 12, 1954 

